Education

Lecturer Wants State Of Emergency On Education

Published

7 years ago

December 17, 2018

A university lecturer, Dr Solomon Ibulubo has called for the declaration of state of emergency on education in Wakirike ethnic nationality.
Dr Ibulubo, a lecturer in the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, University of Port Harcourt made the call in his paper, “Promotion of Quality Education: Launching Wakirike on the Global Political and Socio-economic Platforms” presented during a leadership transformation summit held at the multi-purpose hall, Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area recently.
He said it is on record how education promoted and launched Wakirike on glonal political and socio-economic platforms in the days of the forefathers, as they laid a good foundation upon which Wakirike sons and daughters compete favourably in all human endeavours.
The lecturer who traced how christianity and education came to Wakirike as well as some personalities who had made the nation great and fame, but noted that many factors have come to play in recent times to change the table.
According to him, while the two Wakirike Local Governments Areas namely Okrika and Ogu/Bolo have a total of 47 primary and 10 secondary schools outside those in Wakirike section of Port Harcourt city Local Government council and having cost many because of insecurity on the sea, others have far above their number, stressing that “let us look at other specific areas where education have been exploited in Wakirike”.
Dr Ibulubo noted that it is on record that up to 1948, Wakirike was among the first ethnic groups, clans including Bayelsa that had primary school in 980 and also produced the first professor not only in the old Rivers State but in the whole of Ijaw land in person of Tekena Nitonye Tamuno, but wondered the recent backwardness in educational advancement in the nation.
He hinted that for better placement and development of education in Wakirike ethnic nationality, all available media platforms including churches should be used to create awareness on the need for the people to take their rightful place in the comity of education as well as encourage the opening of more private and public schools.
The university don also called on the Local government councils, Corporate organizations, groups and individuals to award scholarships to deserving pupils and students indiscriminately for a collective goal, appealing to leaders to emulate others who have walked through the same path or faced the same challenges.
“Leaders at all levels must live by example. A situation where leaders only rule by name or become agents of disunity is the greatest form of self-deceit and hypocrisy. No matter the level of education we must eschew bitterness, rancor, internal completion, strife and display benevolence and love in the true spirit of Wakirike”, Dr Ibulubo posited.

By: Collins Barasimaye.

Education

Uniport Appoints Prof. Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Prof. Chike, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, will succeed Prof. Georgewill Owunari whose tenure ends on July 13, 2026.

A statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Sam Kpenu and made available to _The Tide_, said the appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.

“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act,” the statement read.

It added that the process involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board. Both bodies carried out their responsibilities in accordance with extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

According to the statement, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment.

Senator Ohuabunwa expressed confidence in Prof. Chike’s ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the University.

Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on July 13, 2026.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Education commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct in Rivers ,, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation recently during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process. Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

RSU Law Professor Calls for Periodic Review of Nigeria’s Criminal Laws

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

A Professor of Criminal Justice and Law at the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, Prof. Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu, has advocated for periodic review of the nation’s criminal justice administration laws to reflect current societal needs and challenges.

Prof. Nwanyanwu noted that many of the criminal justice laws in use today date back to the pre-colonial era. He questioned their efficiency in addressing modern criminal justice administration, adding that the complex nature of adjudication often allows crime to thrive.

He made the call while delivering the university’s 132nd Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday at the Senate Conference Auditorium titled: “Society as Criminal Enterprise: Unravelling a Complex Justice System.”

The erudite legal scholar clarified that the lecture was not meant to condemn the country’s justice system. Instead, he said it was intended to highlight areas that require urgent attention.

He expressed concern that criminal justice practice in Nigeria is more dysfunctional than functional, and stressed that he wants to see a system that works effectively for all citizens.

“The essence of criminal justice administration is due process, and anything contrary is not it. Plea bargains help to fast-track trial processes and reduce delays,” he stated.

However, Prof. Nwanyanwu expressed worry that the sums recovered through plea bargain arrangements are often meagre compared to the wealth looted, noting that this contradicts the purpose of the arrangement.

To strengthen the system, he recommended merit-based recruitment of judicial officers with proven character and integrity. He also called for adequate funding, infrastructure development, removal of political interference, and ethical reorientation within the judiciary.

The law professor further recommended that the state should pay compensation to citizens when security officers are found culpable for arbitrary killings, in line with the principle of vicarious liability.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended the lecturer. He described the lecture as timely and relevant to addressing the nagging challenges of crime in society.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi expressed concern over the justice system’s inability to curb the rising rate of criminal activities in the state. He added that through inaugural lectures, the university continues to provide solution-based approaches to societal challenges.

Our correspondent reports that the thought-provoking lecture was attended by stakeholders in the judicial system, judges, magistrates, scholars, and members of the university community.

By: Akujobi Amadi